Sheridan School District teachers, other staff vote to authorize strike
Educators working in the Sheridan School District voted Wednesday evening to authorize a strike after the Englewood-based K-12 system refused to reinstate their union’s contract.
The Sheridan Educators Association has not yet said when teachers and other staff might walk out of schools. The union is made up of teachers, mental health providers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and other school employees.
The Sheridan Educators Association has had a collective bargaining agreement in place for more than 50 years, but district officials have refused to reinstate it or to recognize classified employees in their union, according to a news release from the union.
Tensions between the union and district officials have been flaring for months. The Sheridan Educators Association said in December that district officials told employees they no longer have a union and refused to transmit teacher dues to the association, according to a news release.
“The district leadership has pushed educators to the very brink,” Kate Biester, union president and a Sheridan High School teacher, said in a statement. “At every turn, they have chosen to shut down negotiations and escalate their attempts to keep us silent. All we want is to teach and support our students, so we urge the district to return to the table to negotiate a contract for all Sheridan educators.”
Sheridan Superintendent Gionni Thompson could not immediately be reached for comment.
“By refusing to even come to the bargaining table, Sheridan district leaders are putting the community last,” said Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association, in a statement. “Everyone deserves a good neighborhood school, with educators who have what they need to help kids learn and thrive.”
The strike vote was 98% in favor of walking out, according to the news release.
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